The clamor of Chang'an City seemed never to tire, but Su Yan's heart had already flown toward that tranquil starry sky. After completing Little Big Dipper's enhancement with the Star Sharp Potion, he did not linger. When night fell again and star power was abundant, he activated the [Star Pavilion Token] once more.
The Starlight Portal swirled, and Su Yan returned to the Star Pavilion's hidden realm with Little Big Dipper, whose aura had grown increasingly fierce.
This time, he had a clear goal and headed straight for the Star Constellation Hall. Repairing the Compass required a large amount of Star Iron. Relying solely on scattered missions and searching on his own was far too inefficient; he needed a more stable, more rewarding way to acquire it.
On the Starlight Screen within the Star Constellation Hall, missions continued to refresh. Su Yan's gaze swept past collection, escort, and clearing missions before settling on a newly appeared task with exceptionally generous rewards:
[Investigate Star Vein Disturbances] (Difficulty: High)
Description: Recently, Star Pavilion has detected abnormal Energy Fluctuations in several outer Star Veins (small gathering points of Power of Stars). The fluctuations possess mixed properties and are suspected to have been disturbed by an unknown force. Investigate the sources of disturbances in at least three Star Veins at different locations, record their energy properties, and assess their threat levels.
Requirements: Strong independent combat ability and keen energy perception. Recommended level 25+, or possession of special investigation methods.
Rewards: 300 Pavilion Contribution Points, [Refined Star Iron] x3, random beginner-level star cultivation method or skill book x1.
"Investigate Star Vein disturbances?" Su Yan's heart stirred. Star Veins were places where Power of Stars naturally gathered, much like the land's Spirit Veins. Any disturbance there was no trivial matter and was very likely connected to the activities of the End Times Cult, or perhaps that Guixu Rift. The rewards were also exceedingly generous. Three pieces of [Refined Star Iron] would be enough to raise the Compass's repair progress by a significant amount!
Although the mission recommended level 25+, Su Yan believed that with the Compass's sensing abilities and Little Big Dipper's combat strength, completing it was not impossible as long as he proceeded cautiously. The key requirements were "independent combat ability" and "special investigation methods," and he happened to possess both.
"I'll take it!" Su Yan stopped hesitating and reached out to accept the mission on the Starlight Screen.
The mission details immediately flowed into his mind, marking the locations of the three Star Veins that required investigation:
1. Coral Forest Star Vein, eastern coast of Aolai Country (Level Area: 25–30)
2. Star Vein by the Flowing Sands River, southern region Outside Great Tang (Level Area: 22–28)
3. Icefield Rift Star Vein, north of Longevity Village (Level Area: 28–35)
"By the Flowing Sands River... I can check it out again while I'm there." Su Yan remembered passing near the Flowing Sands River while clearing nodes before, and the Compass seemed to have reacted faintly to certain areas beneath the riverbed. He chose that location as his first investigation target.
After leaving Star Pavilion, Su Yan did not set out immediately. Instead, he first visited Chang'an City's auction house and marketplace, using part of his savings to purchase several [Advanced Earth Escape Talismans] and [Water Repelling Pearls]. The Flowing Sands River had a peculiar environment, so it was best to be prepared. At the same time, he replenished a large quantity of precious materials needed to draw Wood Escape talismans. This life-saving skill could prove immensely useful at a critical moment.
Once his preparations were complete, Su Yan set out once more, bound for the Flowing Sands River Outside Great Tang.
At the Flowing Sands River, yellow sand billowed through the air, while the river water was muddy and swift. Rolling dunes and drought-resistant thorn bushes lined both banks. This was an active region for level 25 or so [Sand Demons] and [River Sprites], and natural [Quicksand Traps] occasionally formed here. Danger lurked everywhere.
Following the mission's guidance, Su Yan arrived at a relatively calm bend of the Flowing Sands River. This should have been a place where star power gathered, yet the air was permeated by a strange aura that intertwined scorching heat with chilling cold. The Compass pointed clearly toward an underwater whirlpool at the center of the bend. That was where the Star Vein node lay, but the energy it emitted was now chaotic and... foul.
"So there really is a problem." Su Yan activated the [Water Repelling Pearl], and a pale blue barrier enveloped him and Little Big Dipper. He had Little Big Dipper stand guard on the shore while he took a deep breath and dove into the murky river.
Visibility underwater was extremely poor, and he could only rely on the Compass's guidance. As he approached the center of the whirlpool, Su Yan saw a bizarre sight. The Star Vein node, which should have been pure, was entwined by strands of energy like black waterweed. This black energy continuously drained the Star Vein's power while releasing a nauseating, rotten stench. It shared the same origin as the Breath of the End, yet was damper and more viscous.
"Is this the power of Guixu?" Su Yan recalled the Guixu Rift mentioned in the Star Pavilion's missions. This kind of energy seemed inclined toward devouring and annihilation. It differed slightly from the End Times Cult's pure "ending," but both were destroyers of order by nature.
He tried touching a strand of black energy with his Spiritual Power, only to immediately feel a powerful pulling force, as though it would drag even his consciousness into the endless Dark Abyss! He hurriedly severed the connection, his heart still pounding with fear.
"I can't remove it directly. I need to record it." Su Yan kept the mission requirements firmly in mind. He took out the mission-issued [Image Stone] and carefully recorded the contaminated Star Vein and the energy's properties. At the same time, the Compass trembled faintly, adding the characteristics of this new anomalous energy to its records.
Just as he finished recording and prepared to surface, an unexpected change occurred!
The black energy entwining the Star Vein seemed to have been alerted. It suddenly split into several streams and shot toward Su Yan like venomous snakes! At the same time, mud rolled across the riverbed as three [Guixu Minions] (Level 26, Elite), formed from black energy and sediment, burrowed out and charged at Su Yan with howls!
"I've been discovered!" Su Yan's heart tightened, and he immediately activated Wood Escape! His body blurred beneath the water, appearing several meters away in an instant and narrowly avoiding the black energy's entanglement and the minions' pounce.
However, the [Guixu Minions] were incredibly fast in the water and seemed able to merge with the current as they closed in again. Su Yan did not dare prolong the fight. He used Immobilization Talismans to slow the pursuers while charging toward the surface with all his strength.
"Little Big Dipper!"
The water exploded as Su Yan leapt out in a bedraggled state. Little Big Dipper, who had been waiting on the shore, immediately let out an angry roar and drew the attention of one [Guixu Minion] that had followed close behind.
"Armor Shatter!" Su Yan's feet had barely touched the ground before a talisman flew out!
Yellow light struck the minion, causing the defense of its sand-and-mud body to plummet. Little Big Dipper transformed into a purple blur and pounced, its enhanced claws and fangs gleaming with cold light as they tore viciously at the enemy!
-388! -421! Astonishing damage numbers rose into the air! The effects of the Star Sharp Potion were immediate! Combined with [Advanced Poison] and Life Steal, Little Big Dipper actually suppressed a level 26 elite monster on its own!
Su Yan faced the other two minions, firing Soul Chasing Talismans in rapid succession as he fought and retreated, luring them away from the riverbank. Fighting these monsters capable of controlling water currents near the water's edge was far too disadvantageous.
The battle was fierce but brief. Relying on Little Big Dipper's powerful physical burst damage and Su Yan's precise control, the two of them finally defeated all three [Guixu Minions]. After dying, the monsters left behind no physical remains. They turned into wisps of black smoke and merged back into the river, leaving only several dim pieces of [Guixu Residue].
[System: Successfully repelled 'Guixu Minions,' gained experience points...] [System: Your summoned beast 'Little Big Dipper' gained insight while battling Guixu energy. Its resistance to corrosive effects has slightly increased.]
Su Yan panted heavily as he looked at the river's surface, now calm once more but still foul. His expression was grave. Merely investigating had drawn such troublesome monsters. If he tried to purify it, he would likely alert something even more terrifying.
"Flowing Sands River Star Vein: confirmed contamination by Guixu-type energy. Threat level... medium-high." He recorded it in the mission log. The disturbance in this Star Vein was clearly inseparable from the so-called Guixu Rift.
He did not remain any longer. Carrying the [Guixu Residue] he had obtained and the recorded Image Stone, he swiftly left the Flowing Sands River region.
Over the following days, Su Yan successively investigated the Coral Forest Star Vein on Aolai Country's eastern coast and the Icefield Rift Star Vein north of Longevity Village.
The Coral Forest Star Vein was located within a beautiful yet dangerous coral reef. It had been affected by anomalous energy inclined toward "chaos" and "bewitchment," breeding many frenzied [Phantom Jellyfish] and [Coral Guardians]. Relying on the Compass and his Spiritual Power, Su Yan resisted the mental interference, recorded the energy's properties, and had a small "misunderstanding" with the local Water Tribe guarding the Star Vein—a group of friendly Giant Frogs? In the end, he completed the investigation without serious incident.
The Icefield Rift Star Vein was even more dangerous. It was filled with an extreme aura of "icy cold" and "dead silence," somewhat similar to the Rule Tumors of the Netherworld, yet purer. Su Yan did not even dare approach it too closely. He only used the Compass and Image Stone to record data from afar, then encountered several powerful [Ice Soul Demons] that drove him away. He escaped only by relying on Wood Escape.
After investigating all three Star Veins, Su Yan immediately returned to Star Pavilion to turn in the mission.
Inside the Star Constellation Hall, when Su Yan submitted the three fully recorded Image Stones and his mission report, a Star Official NPC responsible for verification showed a surprised expression.
"You completed it so quickly? And... the disturbances in all three Star Veins have entirely different properties?" The Star Official carefully examined the images and data within the Image Stones, his brow furrowing tighter and tighter. "The Flowing Sands River is 'Guixu Erosion,' Coral Forest is 'Whispers of Chaos,' and Icefield Rift is 'Absolute Dead Silence'... This is absolutely not a natural phenomenon!"
He raised his head, looking at Su Yan with greater regard. "You did very well. The information you provided is extremely important. It seems the force hiding in the shadows is even more active and complex than we expected."
[System: Completed the 'Investigate Star Vein Disturbances' mission! Obtained 300 Pavilion Contribution Points, [Refined Star Iron] x3, random star skill book x1.]
The generous rewards were finally his! Su Yan first took out the three pieces of [Refined Star Iron]. This Star Iron was extremely pure, far beyond ordinary Star Iron. The moment the Compass touched them, it emitted a yearning hum.
Su Yan guided the Compass to begin absorbing them. Pure, vast Power of Stars surged inside, and the runes on the Compass lit up and flowed at an unprecedented speed! Its repair progress began soaring: 43%... 46%... 49%... Finally, after all three pieces of Refined Star Iron had been completely absorbed, the repair progress stopped firmly at 50%!
[System: [Damaged Compass] repair progress has reached 50%!] [System: Compass abilities greatly enhanced! 'Star Map' range now covers all known advanced regions, marking precision has increased, and new ability 'Star Track Deduction' unlocked (can consume a large amount of Spiritual Power to perform a brief, vague deduction of causality or trajectory regarding a specific target or event).] [System: Partial access to the hidden information database has been unlocked. You may now query basic secrets related to 'End Times,' 'Guixu,' and 'Calamity of the Era.']
50%! An important milestone!
Suppressing his excitement, Su Yan felt the Compass's transformation. The Star Map had become broader and clearer, and he could even faintly see points of light marking secret locations shrouded in powerful restrictions. As for the newly added Star Track Deduction, although it consumed greatly and produced vague results, it might prove decisive at a critical moment!
He immediately tried querying the hidden information database.
Most information about the End Times Cult remained sealed, with only scattered descriptions unlocked: "Worshippers of the concept of ending, active in the shadows, dedicated to accelerating the return of all things to Guixu..."
Regarding "Guixu": "The legendary endpoint of all things, a place where laws are annihilated. It coexists with 'End Times,' yet possesses its own unique will..."
Regarding "Calamity of the Era": "A periodic great calamity of heaven and earth, taking many forms. It may be a tribulation of fate, a demonic tribulation, or... This calamity is closely tied to the activity of 'End Times' and 'Guixu'..."
Though the information was limited, it confirmed many of Su Yan's previous suspicions and revealed a clearer corner of the world's truth.
Finally, he looked at the random star skill book. With a flash of light, the skill book turned into a stream of radiance and entered his forehead.
[System: Congratulations! You have learned the beginner Star Pavilion skill—[Starlight Bodyguard]!]
[Starlight Bodyguard] (Active Skill): Draw upon the Power of Stars to form a shield around yourself or a designated target, absorbing a certain amount of damage. While the shield lasts, it slightly increases resistance to negative statuses. Cost: Moderate mana. Cooldown: Medium.
A practical defensive and support skill! It perfectly made up for Su Yan's lack of survivability.
His gains were abundant! The Compass had been repaired to 50%, he had acquired a new skill, and he had accumulated quite a few Pavilion Contribution Points as well.
Just as Su Yan prepared to leave the Star Constellation Hall and exchange for other resources, the Star Official called out to him.
"Please wait." The Star Official's tone turned solemn. "Your abilities are unusual, and you are deeply involved in this matter. The Pavilion's higher-ups have noticed your performance and have a more important proposal for cooperation. Would you be interested in learning more?"
Su Yan's heart stirred, and he stopped.
A more important cooperation? The higher-ups of Star Pavilion?
It seemed that this butterfly, which had fluttered its wings by chance, had begun drawing the attention of far more significant figures.
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